Pat O’Hagan along with Sean Lennon with some of the items from the 1916 Easter Rising

By Staff Reporter

A STAGGERING array of authentic artefacts from 1916 is set to go on display in West and North Belfast next week.

The groundbreaking event at the Andersonstown Social Club (PD) on February 6 is a unique opportunity to see the collection in one place for the first time in history.

Gaelscoil Éanna in North Belfast will also host the unique collection on Thursday evening (February 11) before it travels to Dublin for a 33-week national exhibit at the Ambassador Theatre.

A door handle taken from the GPO during Easter Week 1916, bayonets that were used in the GPO and authentic proclamations are just some of the pieces that Lenadoon man Pat O’Hagan has amassed since he began collecting in 1967, influenced by his grandfather.

He talked us through the items, giving us a tantalising taster of what will be on show next weekend.

“I have just under 3,000 items related to the period from 1909 to 1923,” said Pat. “The items we are showing will be exclusively related to 1916 and will number around 500.

“I have an 1871 single shot black powder Mauser rifle that belonged to Thomas Clarke, it is one of three from the Asgard brought in by Molly Childers and Mary Spring Rice that will be on display on the day.

“I have a door handle from the GPO that was taken during Easter week in 1916, half of a Proclamation that was used as evidence in the court martials of volunteers including Pearse and Connolly, a Luger pistol that was given by a German officer to the Irish Brigade before the Rising, a C96 Mauser machine pistol, known as Peter the Painter and material from Frongoch including a book belonging to Michael Staines, who was Quartermaster general in the GPO in 1916.

“I have plenty of Fianna Éireann material, including uniforms, medals, membership cards and weapons. People can also expect to see plenty of paraphernalia from Cumann na mBan.

“My pride and joy is a bayonet that was picked up outside the GPO by a soldier and kept as a memento. I had been trying to get it back home to Ireland from England for years and finally got it in 2006.”

Clearly Pat is an avid collector and he is very much looking forward to sharing his collection with the public.

“This has just been a hobby of mine for decades,” he said. “I used to go around the country visiting old IRA men and republicans from 1916 and the collection grew from there.

“I have saved this stuff my whole life and I’m proud that it will go on display in West Belfast first. It’s an exciting year and I’m glad I will be able to share these items with those who are interested.”

Given the authenticity of the items and interest in all things 1916 this year, the display is expected to garner huge attention from across Belfast and beyond. Seán Lennon of the Upper Falls 2016 Committee, which has organised a series of events for the same weekend, as well as other commemorations throughout the year, says it is an unmissable opportunity for everyone – young and old.

“This exhibition is part of a weekend celebrating 100 years of unbowed and unbroken republican resistance,” he said. “It is a unique opportunity to see all of this material under one roof for the first time and will be the only opportunity to see it in Belfast.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in Irish history to come along and see these authentic artefacts on the day. I would also invite young people in our community who have a vague understanding of 1916 to come along and learn more through these fascinating items.”

Sinn Féin MLA Rosie McCorley will launch the PD exhibition at 12 noon on Saturday February 6 and at 1pm a local drama group will be reenacting the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa. The exhibit will run until 6pm and admission is free.